ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
One patient and one employee at Catawba Hospital were diagnosed last week with scabies, an itchy, contagious skin disease.
Hospital officials said both cases were found on one floor of the hospital designated for geriatric patients. They said all 40 patients on that floor and all 70 employees who have worked on that floor since Jan.1 were provided a medicated lotion as a preventive treatment. No new cases have been discovered, the officials said.
The employee, a psychiatric aide, has recovered and returned to work, said Dr. Brian Wood, director of the unit where the scabies appeared.
Scabies is caused by a parasitic mite that burrows under the skin to lay its eggs. Symptoms are patches of dry, itchy skin that can develop into lesions. Because dry skin is common in the winter, doctors at the hospital said they don't know how many other people may have had been in early stages of scabies before they received the treatment.
Clinical director Maureen Schnittger said the cause is unknown. Scabies spreads through skin contact, but casual contact is unlikely to spread it, Wood said.
Dr. Molly Rutledge, medical director for the Alleghany County and Roanoke health districts, said scabies is a common skin disease that often goes undiagnosed. Although practical hygiene is the best way to keep from getting it, she said it can show up in hospitals practicing good hygiene. She said Catawba Hospital was inspected during a past scabies occurrence and was found to be following appropriate guidelines.
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